Canton's sewer plant project to cost less than expected

Canton Board of Control awarded general contract to Shook Inc. of Brecksville Tuesday morning. Contract needs approval of Canton City Council.

A major rehabilitation project at the Canton Water Reclamation Facility will cost about $5 million less than estimated.

On Tuesday, the Canton Board of Control awarded the general contract for the membrane bioreactor project to Shook Inc. of Brecksville. Shook Inc. bid $46.24 million on the construction portion of the project, which will cost just over $80 million. It was the lowest of four bidders.

Officials had estimated that the project could run between $85 million and $90 million.

Other contractors involved in the project include Ovivo, which will be paid $28.8 million to supply the membrane filtration system, and engineering firm CT Consultants, which will be paid $4.97 million.

North Canton and Stark County are partners in the project because they send sewage to the regional plant. Canton will pay 50.85 percent of the cost. A membrane bioreactor system will be installed at the plant, 3530 Central Ave. SE, Canton Township, making it the largest in the world using such a filtration system.

The upgrades are required for the plant to meet new Environmental Protection Agency standards for the release of phosphorus. The changes also will allow it to reduce nitrogen output, which is expected to be a mandate of the EPA in coming years.

The city is paying for its portion of the project with revenue from four consecutive years of 9-percent rate increases to city customers. A loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority will pay for the membranes. Plant Superintendent Tracy Mills expects the loan to be finalized next month. Work will begin in April.